Kenwood Eleven II Review - Vintage Stereo Receiver

Review of the vintage stereo receiver - Kenwood Eleven II
I am a long time collector of vintage stereo gear like receivers, speakers, amps, turntables and cassette decks from brands like McIntosh, Sansui, Pioneer, Yamaha, Klipsch, JBL, Marantz and many others. Be sure to subscribe so as not to miss future videos.
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[@Slonge92]

I bought a Model 11 through the AAFES Catalog when I was stationed in Turkey in 1977. We weren’t allowed to import electronics because of the 300% tariff in Turkey. I ordered the JDM Model 11 with black front panel and timer, and had it shipped directly home along with Sansui speakers, Marantz turntable, and a TEAC reel to reel. Only the Teac reel to reel made it. I received a large check from the USPS which covered the cost of the missing equipment. I went to Pacific Stereo in Torrance and bought JBL L100s, Sansui AU 717 and TU 717, and a Marantz 6300 turntable. I never got my JDM Model 11 with black front panel and timer. She’s the one that got away. I sincerely hope that the USPS employee who stole all of my stereo equipment in 1977 (from a USAF veteran) enjoyed it and still has it today. Thanks for the great videos!

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

One of the best sounding and looking receiver

[@stereoniche]

They are under-appreciated. :-)

[@keithcampbell6498]

I have the eleven III and love it. I had led’s installed when it was serviced. It works perfectly and I also have the matching Kenwood turntable and matching Kenwood speakers. Paid 500.00 for all three at a local pawnshop.

[@ranrae]

I have an Eleven 111 and I love it. I paid 900.00 for it about 8 months ago and it looks like it was just unpacked. Not a single scratch or dent and I like the fact that it has laser etched lettering that will never rub off and a mic jack. I am running Cerwin Vega E712's,Polk Monitor series 7's and Kenwood KL-888'ds through it. I can't turn it past 3 or 4 on the volume lol. BTW, I also have a Toshiba SA-850 that sounds VERY good. Toshiba is underrated too. Picked it up for $120.00. I love your video's.

[@terryhetrick1407]

Purchased mine in 76 from AAFES IN GERMANY still have it. Timer did break a long time ago, but they make new ones from 3D printers. Easy fix. Access from the bottom. Also easy access to the pots to clean while your at it.

[@Sleepy_Js_Garage]

I'm a millennial ARMY Brat who grew up playing with my dad's Model 11 he ordered while stationed in Germany ( don't press that 400hz button with the volume cranked! lol ) I don't know which version it is (he still has it), but I do recall that the Dolby NR and Mode A and B on the one we have is 3 switches and not a rotary dial like the one shown here. I preferred it to newer Yamaha and Technics amps he had because the bass was sooooo much stronger than any other amp I played around with. Still brings back good memories. Thanks for the video.

[@REGGIOCITALY]

I bought mine in 1977 at Rhein Main AB. I love it!!!

[@pernilsson2512]

Gotta love the Mitsubishi LT-30 One of the best Linear Tracking Turntables

[@tomlindalewis2146]

Had a Eleven II for a couple of years. Replaced all the bulbs and refinished the wooden case. It was big and beautiful. Sold it and a perfect pair of Original Large Advents to a very nice man building a system he wanted in his youth. I miss the set, but it was a pleasure meeting the man that bought them.

[@stereoniche]

Lots of great ways to enjoy vintage gear, meeting new people is one of the many benefits.

[@patrickgeorge141]

I own a few Kenwoods. Model 11, Model 11iii, KR 4070 and KA 8300 and love them all. Model 11 is it's own then there is a Model 11 i, ii and iii and are 60, 80 and 120 watts respectively. Timer problem is solved these days. A piece is being made and sold on eBay for the timer. They also made a Model 11 G and a GX. Thanks for the video.

[@stereoniche]

Good to know someone is making replacement parts. Do you have the name of the seller? I did not see any listed currently. The other models, like the G/GX are even more colorful and cool. I have seen them, but not yet owned one.

[@mikecampbell5856]

I bought a Kenwood KA-7100 in1978 when my ship was in Japan. Outstanding specs and sound. Only 60 watts per channel but a frequency response of DC - 100khz. A signal to noise ratio of 120db and .02% THD. The thing was awesome. I love your receiver! I'm not sure if I mentioned this on a previous video, but my son bought me a Sabaj A10h headphone amp with RCA inputs and outputs and I am using it as a remote volume control on a Harman Kardon PM 650. Only 75 bucks.

[@stereoniche]

Nice way to integrate new with the old!

[@joek0133]

Great video cover and description of the feature's of this unit! I am retired military and have always went out of my way to find these units ( I currently have three , all model II's ) I love them, great sound really good looking and a great value for the money! you cant go wrong with the options and sound of these units. yep timer is a problem and sooner or later you will need to re-cap them but all and all great unit ! if you get the opportunity to purchase one I recommend it, Good luck and great listening......ENJOY !

[@stereoniche]

They are great units, I am on the lookout for other models. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@rodgerburkley8939]

I have a Model Eleven II since new in mid 70s. Purchased in the BX at Anderson AFB Guam whike on a TDY (KC-135). I love it for all the reasons you cite and more. Lots of features and great value. Sound is, of course, magnificent and I find it more than holds its own against Sansui 8080s and 9090s, which I have both in nonDB and DB versions each. Also holds up well against a Pioneer SX 1250 (also in collection). I don’t know all the technical innards stuff, but this baby is exceptionally clear, accurate with low distortion and high response. I like it so much I got a IIi as well. These elevens were chiefly distributed/targeted for overseas GI market in the 70s. I paid @ $400 for mine at AAFEX BX. I believe the I, II and Iii models came out sequentially/chronologically over 4 or 5 years. There was no III version made or available to buy when I got my II in 76. Wattage was the main and only disambiguated. Live your channel!

[@stereoniche]

Thanks Rodger for chiming in! So around $400 MSRP, for comparison, an 85w Pioneer SX-950 was $650, so the Kenwood really would have been a lot of bang for the buck with the Pioneer being more than 50% more.

[@barrylafratta5720]

i had the super 11 gx with eq on the front . powerfull unit loved it .

[@williamkellogg9118]

I don't care for Pioneer or any other brand, at 64 years old have had them all and always thought Kenwood sounded the best. Thats my opinion. I listen to a VR-716 Surround sound system from 2003 and it can kick out the sound.

[@dtracy03ss]

Mine was the 11 model 3 which was 120 WPC! The 3 also had a 5 Band Equalizer built in , I am having one Refurbed right now because I owned one New. Before that a Marantz 2265 and then a Pioneer SX1280 which I now own Great Refurbed examples of Both. All were Expensive! Then and Now

[@LA-db9xj]

Wow! I can't believe your comments about Kenwood. As if they weren't quality gear. Back in the 70s when I was in the military and everybody was buying gear like chocolate cookies. There was as much Kenwood being bought as anything else. Behind Marantz they were some of the best looking gear around. They also had some of the best tuners in them as well. Overall, they were hardly known to as some "budget" line of equipment. I've owned a ton of different gear over time and Kenwood has always performed as well or better as the other well known brands depending on the model. I usually enjoy your videos, but this one leaves me shaking my head! 🤔

[@stereoniche]

Maybe "more bang for the buck" sounds better? 🙂 I LOVE Kenwood gear, so no slight was intended, but they were a bit of an underdog within the U.S. market, so it makes sense they were trying to add more value to their offerings.

[@guddergo7116]

Before kenwood made big beautiful receivers with not much inside. Very light build designs in those super eleven, 10,000 gx etc

[@russellcardwell6502]

Kenwood was a great choice when your in high school in the early seventy’s, they didn’t over build but they made it possible for me to put together a quality audio system, not many of us could afford pioneer, Sansui , I always thought Kenwood was just as good as other higher priced receivers, Kenwood didn’t over build they built there receivers to do what was necessary, nothing more or less , to this day I still own two Kenwood receivers and have them completely restored, kr8050 and Kr9600, I have a pioneer sx1250 that has also been completely restored sitting next to the Kr9600 , I was surprised at the fact that the SX1250 didn’t change my mind about the Kr9600 It stands on its own and will never be a2nd choice compared to the pioneer when it comes to listening to music, on another note the name Kenwood came from a couple sources Kenmore appliances which were considered high quality, wood because it’s a durable material some speculate Hollywood haha

[@scottmelneal]

I recently purchased a Kenwood 11000GX. I’d like to find a speaker wire that has a spade connector that would fit the rear terminals. I’ve purchased 2 sets from Amazon but the spade was to wide this not able to slip behind the posts. Any ideas?

[@stereoniche]

Those connectors are best for bare wire, however, the spades made to connect to old tube amps are long, narrow and straight. Not sure all are the same length/width, but the ones I have on hand do work very nicely. The gap is 5.7mm and the full width is 7.6 mm. The prong length is about 9 mm.

[@thomasandersen6014]

I have the Kenwood Super Eleven which is 125 watts, and there is also another one called Super Nine , which is 90 watts. Their branded differently. But the Super eleven is a little bigger that the one you have! :)

[@stereoniche]

Thanks for the info! I have seen the Super Eleven, VERY cool receiver.

[@marioivanov6205]

Hello congratulations on the video I have watched it many times now I would like to ask you as a professional which of the old stereo receivers has the warmest softest sound Thanks in advance!!!

[@stereoniche]

Hi Mario! Thanks for watching. Your question is very tough because there are so many different models. Instead of picking a specific model, I will say that, in general, I find Sansui and McIntosh solid state models to be fairly warm/soft. Just about any vintage tube receivers/amps are very warm, so you are safe there. You asked your question on the Kenwood video. I only have a couple of Kenwood models, so I really cannot state how I think they sound compared to other brands, yet.

[@marioivanov6205]

@@stereoniche thanks 🙏

[@jb.2986]

Never been a Kenwood fan but interesting fact about the name. What was their connection with Radio Shack? We’re they sold along side Realistic?

[@stereoniche]

The information I found seemed to suggest that they were a private label manufacturer, not selling the Kenwood branded gear in Radio Shack.

[@spyder8986]

I paid 399.99 for mine and they charged me 12.12$ tax im pretty sure it was like 412$ i still have the original paperwork for ot ill dig it out and repost but if i remember it was around 412$ .

[@josedavidbolivarmunoz9324]

Desde colombia tengo ese mismo y molesta el selector sera que se puede areglar

[@stereoniche]

A veces, las piezas están disponibles en eBay, pero hay que controlarlas de cerca.

[@billmellater]

Model eleven 1 does not have preamp in/out

[@garyvincent9787]

I can purchase a iii for 500 bucks thats a deal I believe

[@stereoniche]

If in good shape and all working, YES!

[@williamrepik797]

Dosen't teach anything.

[@stereoniche]

The user manual is readily available online.